Kia Telluride vs Toyota Highlander: reliability compared
From 2020 to 2026, owners filed an average of 344 complaints per model year about the Kia Telluride and 197 about the Toyota Highlander.
Side by side
| Kia Telluride | Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2020-2026 | 2020-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 2,061 | 1,379 |
| Complaints per model year | 344 | 197 |
| Recalls | 17 | 14 |
| Years to avoid | 2020 | 2021 |
| Best years | None stand out | None stand out |
| Most common problem | Visibility | Transmission |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 20-22 mpg combined (2025) | 24-35 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Telluride | Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 429 | 47 |
| Engine | 361 | 110 |
| Electrical | 302 | 89 |
| Lights | 211 | 20 |
| Transmission | 175 | 439 |
| Body | 157 | 161 |
| Brakes | 70 | 180 |
| Airbags | 22 | 118 |
Questions about the Kia Telluride vs Toyota Highlander
Which is more reliable, the Kia Telluride or the Toyota Highlander?
Between 2020 and 2026, the Kia Telluride has 1 year to avoid and the Toyota Highlander 1. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Toyota Highlander drew fewer complaints per model year (197 vs 344), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Kia Telluride or the Toyota Highlander?
From 2020 to 2026, the Kia Telluride was covered by 17 recalls and the Toyota Highlander by 14.
What years of the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander should you avoid?
Kia Telluride: 2020. Toyota Highlander: 2021.
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